Lake Constanze - lake Königssee

Lake Constance - Lake Königssee

Lakes, Palaces and Panoramic Views

This amazing cycling tour across the Alpine foothills leads you to two well-known lakes. With the Alps as a backdrop you cycle across meadows, fields, moors and forests, along rivers and numerous smaller and larger lakes. In order to get from one cultural or scenic highlight to the next, the route leads you along established cycle paths. Famous kings’ castles and churches, historic market squares, interesting museums and some unknown treasure turn this cycling tour into a unique cultural experience.

Itinerary

Your tour starts in Constance, the biggest town on Lake Constance with its medieval flair. In 1414 it was the location for the only church council north of the Alps. A tiny museum remembers the Czech reformer Jan Hus, who was burnt on the stake here. The town’s landmark is the statue of Imperia, which is a monument dedicated to the prostitutes during the years of the Council. We also recommend the underwater world of the Sea Life Center and the archaeological State Museum.

You cross over to Meersburg by car ferry, get the chance to explore the old part of town located at the lake and enjoy a fantastic view after a steep ascent to the picturesque palace. You continue along the lakeside via Friedrichshafen, the birthplace of the Zeppelin, to Lindau. The famous lighthouse and the island harbour are worth an evening stroll.

Today you move away from Lake Constance and - with a bit of luck - can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the Alps. Today’s destination is Oberstaufen, a little market town in the Oberallgäu region. In the cheese dairy you can watch first hand, how the delicious cheese is made or alternatively delve into the history of the region by visiting one of the local museums.

You cycle through stunning valleys, past the large lake Alpsee over to Immenstadt. We recommend visiting the old farm house ‚Alter Hof’, which was used as a city dwelling for ruling families, or the ‚Villa Edelweiß’, which are both worth seeing. You can also climb up the Golgotha with its little church. Whilst cycling along Lake Grüntensee, you pass several more lovely ornate chapels. The pretty village of Nesselwang is a popular climatic health-resort.

You are accompanied by an impressive mountain backdrop on your way to Füssen on Lake Forggensee. Besides the amazing scenery the palace ‚Hohes Schloss’, home of the National Gallery is worth a visit. We also recommend a visit to the Benedictine Monastery Saint Mang. You continue along the Romantic Road to Schwangau with the Allgäuer Alps in full view. Already from afar, you will be able to see the silhouettes of the picturesque fairy tale castles, Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau.

The two fairy tale castles Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau are now behind you. The route to Murnau on Lake Staffelsee takes you through idyllic pasture landscape with an Alpine flair. You cycle past the world-famous church ‚Wieskirche’, the embodiment of Bavarian rococo and a perfect spot for a rest. Amidst amazing lake and moor scenery, Lake Staffelsee finally emerges with its seven islands and with the Upper Bavarian Alps as a backdrop.

On day 7, you will pass Lake Kochlsee and Benediktbeuern and cycle through charming landscapes to Bad Tölz. Being located at the crossroads of two trade routes – to be named, the river Isar and the old salt route from Reichenhall to Allgäu – Bad Tölz quickly became a thriving trading centre. The ornate mansions testify the golden age.

Today, you will cycle through the scenic landscape of Lake Tegernsee, over gently rolling hills, to Lake Tegernsee. In Gmund you will be able to enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the lake. We recommend taking a boat trip or going for a swim! Later, you will continue on the Bodensee-Königssee bike path to Lake Schliersee.

First, you will cycle directly along the lake’s shore and on slightly hilly roads to Bad Feilnbach. Because of the mild climate and more than 30,000 fruit trees, the moor spa area is also called the “Bavarian Merano”. And today’s destination is a colourfully decorated town too.

You will ride your bike through the largest peat mining area within Bavaria, the Kollerfilze, and soon you will reach Neubeuern. All over the town, you will see two crossed ship hooks, the emblem of Neubeuern and a sign of the shipbuilding industry, which once was the residents’ main source of income. Then, you will cycle via Frasdorf at the foot of the Chiemgau Mountains to Lake Chiemsee. Today’s destination is located on the southern lakeshore of the “Bavarian sea”. We recommend taking a boat trip to the islands Herrenchiemsee and Frauenchiemsee.

The mountains are getting higher and higher, but the bike path stays almost flat. You will cycle through the “Bergener Moos” at the foot of Mount Hochfelln (1,674 metres), via Bad Adelholzen (healing spring), to Siegsdorf (natural history museum). From there, you will continue your journey along the river Rote Traun to the idyllic town of Inzell. The famous Lüftlmalerei paintings on the beautifully decorated town houses are typical for the climatic health resort.

The route of the German Alpine road snakes tightly between mountains via Schneitzlreuth along the river Saalach to Bad Reichenhall. Since 1890, Bad Reichenhall is an approved health resort and ‘spa town’. We strongly recommend that you try a piece of cake in the famous patisserie Reber, before you continue along the cycle path and reach the well-known Berchtesgaden.

Opportunity for a visit to the salt mine Obersalzberg as well as the Kehlstein house. Alternatively, cycle a few more kilometres to Lake Königssee with the option of a boat ride on this well-known lake and a visit to St. Bartholomew’s church, situated at the foot of the phenomenal Watzmann massif. Once you have crossed the Bavarian-Austrian border, there is only a little way left to cycle until you get to Salzburg with its countless sights.

Tour character

Enjoy the small ascents and descents across the hilly prealpine lands with the stunning panorama and lakes situated in idyllic locations. You cycle on marvellous cycle paths and little side roads, on main roads only on short sections. The route is mainly asphalted, some longer segments also on well-maintained dirt roads.